Activists have alleged that Tamil Nadu students are being used to fill up seats and to show strength at the state sponsored events

Child rights activists Padam Narayanan had moved the Madras High Court (Representational)

Chennai: Schoolchildren cannot be forced to participate in the birth centenary events of AIADMK's founder MG Ramachandran, the Madras High Court has told the authorities in Tamil Nadu.

Child rights activists Padam Narayanan had moved the court, saying schoolchildren have been forced to participate in state-run events and have been moved from one place to another like "cattle".

E Palaniswami, soon after taking over as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, had announced celebrating the birth centenary of former the ruling AIADMK's founder MGR as a state function in all districts.

The entire cabinet and even the assembly speaker have attended these events in every district.

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Activists have alleged that students are being used to fill up seats and to show strength at the state sponsored events.

Recently, opposition leader MK Stalin alleged the EPS government is using these government functions as a political platform. EPS had responded saying a "little political history in government functions is inevitable."

He had also pointed fingers at former Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi, saying "Karunanidhi has spoken lots of politics at government functions."